Circuit-controlling apparatus



Mam

1 640,542 Aug. 30 17927. B. F. FULLER CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed July 27. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 White Border white Foot Blue Border Fig.1.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR Ber) f." FUHert ATTOR-NEY l 640 542 Aug. 30, 1927. B. F- FULLER CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed July 27, 1922- 2 heets sheet 2 Ber? E Fuller.

Patented Aug. 30, 1927. v

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BERT F. FULLER, OP PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

' CIRCUIT-CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

Application filed July 27, 1922. Serial No 577,830.

My invention relates to circuit controlling apparatus and particularly to apparatus for controlling light circuits used in illuminating theatre stages, auditoriums, etc.

In certain forms of circuit controlling apparatus for theatre lighting, relays are used for controlling the various circuits used about the stage. In the course of the performance ditlerent circuits are energized for illuminating dill'erent parts of the stage. A separate circuit is used'ior different colored lamps and, consequently a separate control switch is provided for each circuit.

In the usual circuit control panel, it has been the custom to employ certain forms of switch mechanism that may be adjusted or set up for each scene. Ihe adjustment is usually made for the next succeeding scene while one scene is being enacted. This form of apparatus necessitates the presence of a skilled operator for selecting the mechanism that is to be energized for each change of scene.

Qne object of my invention is to provide a circuit controlling apparatus for theatre lighting in which a simple form of switch mechanism is used for controlling the different lamps upon the stage or other sections of the theatre and in which a predetermined set up may be arranged for each and every scene that is to be enacted. so that it is only necessary to close the proper circuits successively as the scenes are being enacted.

Another object of my invention is to provide a circuit controlling apparatus for theatre lighting in which a portable sw tch board of simple construction 'may be connected for controlling the lighting circuits of the stage or any part of the theatre from a remote point.

Another object of my invention is to provide a circuitcontrolling apparatus for theatre lighting in which each lamp circuit may be controlled by an electromagnetic switch and wherein the circuits through the magnetic switchesare controlled by a switch mcchanisn'i of simple construction that is mc'xpensive to manufacture and which occupie minimum 0% space.

These and other objec s, that. will be apparent througz hout the "further descr ption of my invention, are attained by a cnrcint larly to Fig. 1, for the purpose of illustration, six lamp circuits 4:, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are shown, the circuits 4 and 5 having white lamps therein for the border and. footlights, respectively. The circuits 6 and 7 have red lamps therein and are for the border and too-tlights, respectively, while circuits 8 and 9 have blue lamps therein and are for the border and footlights, respectively.

The lamp circuits l to 9, inclusive, are supplied with current from the feed conductors l1 and 12 that are controlled by a master switch 13. Double-pole switches 14, 15, 16, 1.7, 18 and 19 control the lamp circuits l to 9, inclusive, respectively, and each is actuated by an electromagnet 21 that is energized through control feed conductors 22 and 23 that are controlled by a master switch 24.

The actuating coils 21 of the switches 14 to 19, inclusive, are connected in series with the conductors 25 to 30, respectively, which ter minate in parallel vertically disposed bus bars or lighting circuit control conductors 32 to 37, respectively. The conductors 25 to 30 are each connected to the control conductor 23.

The circuit through the electromagnetsfl of the switches l i.- to 19 are closed by a plurality oirotatable bars or scene control conductors 38, 39, 410, e1, 42 and 43 that are conductively connected at their ends to a control. conductor let thatv is connected to a control teed conductor 22 by means oi' an electromagnetic switch The switch lli is provided with an electromagnetic coil +t6 that is connected across the conductors 22 and 3 and controlled by a knife switch 4 A plug receptacle 445 is connected across the terminals of theswitch L7, and to which an extension may be cmmcctcd having a switch therein which may be disposed. at any remote point. The switch therefor may be Mill closed from any desired point by simply closing the circuit through the extension or by closing the knife switch 47.

The circuit between the conductor 44 and the switch bars 38 to 43 is closed by means of knife switches 51 to 56,- respectively, and plug receptacles 57 are connected across the terminals of each of the last mentioned switches for receiving extensions similar to that previously described. Itwill be seen, therefore, that. the connections between bars 38 to 43 and the supply wire 44 may be controlled from points remote from the board through the medium of the extensions.

The switch bars 38 to 43, inclusive, are

provided with a plurality of contact jawmembers 58 that are adjustably mounted thereon and which may be so moved with respect to one another as to change their angular relation. The contact jaw members are held in any predetermined position upon the switch bars by means of set screws 59. As indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, the contact members are so adjusted that a 90 throw of the operating handle 61 causes the jaws of the contact member to fully engage the bus bar position.

that is directly beneath it. When it is desired that a certain contact member should remain out of contact with the bus bar beneath it after the switch handle has been turned such contact member is positined at an angle of 90 with respect to the contact member that is to engage the bus bar, as indicated in Fig. 3. By reason of this arrangement, an desired control switch may be energized ii closing the circuit through any desired lamp circuit when one of the switch bars is turned to closed position. For example, should it be desired to close the border white lam circuit, the foot red lamp circuit and the b order blue lamp circuit at the same time, the contact mem bers 58 opposite the bus bars 32,35 and 36 are so adjusted-on the switch bar 38 that they will be moved into contact with the said bus bars when the bar 38 is moved to closed The remaining contact members will be maintained out of contact with the remaining bus bars.

When the circuit through the bus bars 32, 35 and 36 is closed, current will flow from the conductor 22 through the switch 45, the

conductor 44 and'switch 51 to the bar 38 and thence through the contact members 58 to the bus bars 32, 35 and 36, conductors 25, 28 and 29, respectively, and the electromag-o netic coils 21 of the switches 14, 16 and 17, causing them to close the circuit through the White and blue border lamps and the red foot lamps.

In the drawings, I have shown six switch bars and it is to be understood that a switch bar is to be provided for each scene. Any number of bars may be placed upon the panel to suit the requirements of the theatre in which the apparatus is installed. By reason of this arrangement, it is possible to set up the switchboard for all of the scenes of an entire performance and it is not necessary to alter the set up until a different performance is to be given. Where the same performance is repeated daily, this apparatus is of considerable advantage, for all that is necessary is to open and close the lamp circuits for eachscene as the lights are required. The presence of a skilled operator at the board is therefore unnecessary.

In operation, the contact members 58 are adjusted upon the operating bars to 1'0- duce a predetermined lighting effect. All i of the switches 51 to 56 are'opened. The control conductor 44 is energized by closing the switch 45 through the medium of the electromagnetic coil 46 and the knife switch 47. Assuming that the switch bar 38 is for controlling the lighting of the first scene, the bar 38 is first moved to closed position while the remaining switch bars are in open position. The switch 51 is then closed, which causes the electromagnets 21 to be energized and to close such circuits as are selected by the switch bar 38 by reason of the engagement of the contact members with their associated bus'bars.

the next succeeding scene, the switch bar 39 is moved to closed position and the switch 51 moved to open position. The switch bar 38 is then moved to open position and the switch 52 closed, causing the lamps desired to the second scene to be energized in the manner previously described. The lamp circuits for the remaining scenes may be successively shifted in the manner just described. Should it be desirable to retain the lights of one scene and at the same time introduce new lights, two or moreswitch bars may be moved to closed position and their "respective controlling switches closed. It will be seen, therefore, that the arrangement is exceedingly flexible and that any desired When it is desired to shift the lights for lighting may be obtained at any time by the proper manipulation of the various switches.

Heretofore, .it has been impractical, be-

cause of the expensive apparatus necessitated and the lack of space required, to set up more than one scene in advance. lVith the present relatively inexpeiisive and com pact apparatus, the lighting effects for an entire play may be'set up in advance.

' By reason of the crossed relation of the bus bars and the switch bars, the entire 7 switch apparatus may be placed upon a relativel small and compact switchboard that may e located in any desired point'upon the stage. It will be noted that the handles 61 of the adjacent switch'bars are disposed on opposite sides of the board to provide ample clearance for their movement. By

reason of this arrangement, the switch bars may be placed relatively close to one another.

The contact members are of simple construction and occupy but little space, and, therefore. the vertical bus bars may also be placed relatively close to one another.

The switch apparatus is so simple and compact incon.;:truction that a portable V illustrated at the bottom of Fig. 1.

An extension cable containing conductors 2. Q26, 27, 28, 29 and 30', one for each light circuit, and a conductor- 44 is provided, having contact plugs (not shown) adapted to fit within receptacles 61 that are connected to the bus bars 32 to 37. The other end of the wires constituting the cable may be connected to plug receptacles 62, into which connectors attached to the vertical bus bars 32 to 37 of the portable switch areattached. The conductor 44: is also provided at its ends with plug contacts (not shown) adapted to be connected to a receptacle 63 in the control conductor 44 and a plug receptacle 65 connected to a control conductor 44" in the portable board. The portable switch is iden-.

tical in other respects to the switch mechanism located on the stage and it is obvious that the lights may be controlled from either the switch panel on the stage or the portable panel which may .be located at any ,desired place in the theatre, such, for innecting the terminals of the portable board with the corresponding terminals on the switchboard located on the stage. i

It will be noted that'because of the simple construction of the switch mechanism only one line for each lamp circuit and one conductor for the control circuit is required for connecting the portable switchboard or panel to the permanent system.

The switch bars 38 to 43 may be actuated electromagnetically and controlled from a remote point. The bars and contacts may be arranged to be operated by a. longitudinal movement instead of rotary movement.

While I have described and illustrated but one embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent to those, skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions and omissions may be made in the apparatus illustratedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: 1. In an electrical system, a mam feed circuit, a plurality of load circuits, means for controlling the load circuits including agroup of conductors connected thereto and a second group-of conductors crossing the first group, means for selectively connecting the conductors'of the second group to the feed circuit, and adjustable means on the conductors of the second group for selectively conductively engaging the conductors of the first group.

2. In an electrical system, a main feed circuit, a plurality of load circuits, means for controlling the load circuits including a group of conductors connected to the load circuits and a second group of conductors, means for selectively connecting the conductors of the second group to the feed circuit,

and adjustable means on the conductors of 31 the second group for selectively conductively engaging the conductors of the first group.

3. In an electrical system, a main feed circuit, a plurality of load circuits, means for controlling the load circuits including a group of conductors connected to the load circuits and separately movable conductors connected to the feed circuit, contacts adj ustably mounted on the conductors and movable into engagement with the conductors of the said group when the movable conductors are actuated.

4. In a theatre-lighting system, the combination with a supply circuit having a plu; rality of separately operable switches and a plurality of load circuits, of controlling devices for each of said circuits, and means including a group of individually adjustable switches for each load circuit, each of which is associated with a different separately operable switch for selectively controllingthe connection of said source to said controlling devices whereby desired combinations of said lighting circuits may be preselected for a series of-scenes and whereby the circuits of each selected combination may be energized without disturbing the adjustment for preceding or subsequent scenes.

5.- In a theatre-lighting system, the combination with a plurality of load circuits and 1 a supply circuit having aplurality of separately operable switches, of means including individually adjustable switches for each load circuit, each of which is associated with a different separately operable switch for selectively controlling the connection of said supply circuit to said load circuits whereby a series of desired combinations of said load circuits for successive scenes may be preselected and whereby the circuits of each of said combinations may be energized without disturbing the adjustment for preceding scenes.

6. In combination in a theatre lighting system, a plurality of groups of switch means, a source. of electric energy, a common control means for the switch means of each group, a plurality of lighting circuits controlled by said switch means, a common connection from each lighting circuit to one switch means of each group, and a means individual to each switch means adapted to determine whet-her actuation of its said control means shall cause current flow through said switch means.

7. In a theatre-lighting system, the combination with a plurality of lighting circuits, of means for controlling the lighting circuits including a plurality of lightingcircuit control conductors, a plurallt of scene-control conductors,,a group of ividually adjustable switches for selectively preparing each lighting circuit-control conductor for connection to selected scene-control conductors whereby the lightin circuits to be energized may be preselecte at one time for a plurality of SUCrBSSlVG scenes, and means whereby the scene-control conductors may be selectively connected to any selected group of lighting circuit control conductors without disturbing the operative relation of the said switches.

8. In combination in a theatre lighting system, a plurality of groups of switch means, a source of electric energy therefor, means insuring common actuation of the switch means of a group, a plurality of lighting circuits controlled by the said switch means, and a means individual to each switch means adapted to determine whether actuation of its said first said means shall cause current flow through said switch means.

9. In combination in a theatre. lighting system, a plurality of groups of switch means, a source of electric energy, a common control meansfor the switch means of each group, a plurality of lighting circuits controlled by said switch means, a common connection from each lighting circuit to one switch means of each group, and pre-settable' means individual to each switch means whereby desired combinhtions of said lighting circuits may be pre-selected fora series of scenes and whereby the lighting circuits of each elected combination may be energized without disturbing the adjustment for preceding or subsequent scenes, and adapted to determine whether actuation of its said control means shall cause current flow through said switch means.

10. In a theatre-lighting system, the combination with a plurality of lighting c1rcui ts, of means for controllin the lighting c rcuits including a plurality ot-light1ngec1rcuit-control conductors, a plurality of scenecontrol conductors, one group of conductors being movable with respect to the other and having) adjustable contact members WhlCh may any

ductors being movable with respect to the others and having adjustable contact members which. may be preset to selectively con- -nect selected lighting-circuit-control conductors with any scene-control conductors.

12. In combination in a theatre lighting system, a plurality of group of switch means, a source of electric energy therefor, means insuring common actuation of the switch means of a group, a plurality of lighting circuits controlled by the said switch means,

and a pre-settable means individual to each switch means whereby desired combinations of said lighting circuits may be pre-selected for a series ofscenes and whereby the lighting circuits of each selected combination may be energized without disturbing the adjustment for preceding or subsequent scenes, and adapted to determine whether actuation of its said control means shall cause current flow through said switch means.

13. The method of illuminating with electric lamps energized by a plurality of separate load circuits, in a system having a plurality of separately operable control switches in commonly connected groups, which 'consists in closing selected switches of each group for connecting them to selected load circuits and in separately energizin the common connection of each roup 0 control switches whereby selecte load circuits are energized.

14. In a theatre lighting system, the combination with a plurality of load circuits and a supply circuit having a plurality of separately operable switches for controlling the supply of current to the said,load c1rcuits, of a plurality of individually ad ustable switches connected in common to each load circuit and individually to a difl'erent first said switch and which may pre-set the load circuits for energization in pre-selected groups whereby different pro-selected groups of load circuits may be energized upon the closure of different separately operable switches.

15. In a theatre lighting system, the combination with a plurality of load circuits and a supply circuit having a plurality of separately operable switch members for controlling current to the load clrcults, of a plurality of switch means connected in common to each load circuit and "havingl lndividually adjustable contacts for e ac load circuit, the contacts of each load circuit bepreset to selectively connect selected ing associated with a diiferent switch memassociated load circuit when its associated switch member is in closed position.

16.In a theatre lighting system, the combination with a plurality of load circuits and a supply circuit having .a pluralit of separately operable'switches for controlling current to the load circuits, of a plurality of individually adjustable switch means connected in common to each load circuit, the switch means of each load circuit being associated with a different separately operable switch and which may be pre-set to energize its associated load circuit when its associated separately operable switch is closed.

17 A combination comprising a plurality of load circuits, a source of energy therefor, a plurality of means adapted to be pre-set to interrupt the circuit between said source and each load circuit, said means being sub-divided into groups, each group comprising a member individual to each load, and means individual to each member of a group to concurrently interrupt the circuits of that group from said source to said load.

18. In a theatre lighting system,'the combination with a plurality of load circuits and a plurality, of individually adjustable switches for each load circuit and having a common connection thereto and which may be pre-set to prepare the circuits for selective energization in predetermined group combinations, of a supply circult and a separately operable supply switch for each selected group combination which permits energlzation of all of the prepared circuits of the selected group when the supply switch associated therewith is closed.

19. A combination comprising a plurality of groups of switch means, a source of electric energy therefor,- a common control means for the switch means of each group, a plurality-of load circuits controlled by said switch means, a common connection from each load circuit to one switch means of each group and a -means individual to each switch means adapted to determine whether actuation of its said control means shall cause current flow through said switch means. I

. 20. A combination com'onsma a nlurahtv \I i I v of groups of switch means, a source of electric energy therefor, a common control means for the switch means of each group, a

plurality otload circuits controlled by said switch means, each load circuit having but a single terminal to take current from said switch means, a connection from said terminal common to a switch in each group, and a means individual to each switch means adapted to determine whether actuation of its said control means shall causecurrent to flow through said switch.

21. In combination. with a plurality of load circuits, a control device for each load circuit, a plurality of groups of switch means therefor, a common control means for the switch means in each group, a common connection from each control device to a switch in each group, and a means individual to each switch means adapted to determine Whether actuation of its said control means shall cause current to flow through said switch.

22. A combination comprising a plurality of switch means, a plurality of loads to be controlled respectively by the individual switch means of a group, means for supplyin current to the said switch means, means in ividual to each switch means of each group to determine whether current from said source shall flow through the said switch means and means to interrupt current flow through said switch means from said source and to prevent the interconnection of said loads through a switch group except when it is connected to said source.

23. A combination comprising a plurality of groups of switch means, a source of electric energy therefor, means insuring the said means shall cause current flow through said switch means. i

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 26th day of June 1922.

BERT F. FULLER.

DISCLAIMER 1,640,542. Bert F. Fuller, Pittsburgh, Pa. CIRCUIT-CONTROLLING APPARATUS. Patent d ited August 30, 1927. Disclaimer filed December 16, 1930, by the assignee, Westinghouse Electric db Mmufacturing Company, I Hereby enters this disclaimer to that part 0 f the claim in said specification which appears as claim 13 and is in the following words, to wit: 1 q i 13. The method of illuminating with electric lamps energized by a plurality of separate load circuits, in] a' system having a plurality of separately operable control switches in commoiily connected groups, which consists in closing selected switches of each group ,for connecting them to selected load circuits and in separately. energizing the common connection of each group of control switches whereby selected load circuits are energized.

[Oifioial Gazette January 27,1 931.] 

